Worker fired at my job (employee, unemployment, reputation, jobs)

[rlrl]

I am seeking ideas as to how my company might justify firing this worker

I know that one never really knows the precise reason why someone else was fired but i am still curious

I was told today by a co- worker that another worker who had been on the job since July had gone to Human Resources to complain about something having to do with not having enough money in her check and not having health benefits but that she had declined health coverage. when she complained to HR (and I don't even know what it was that she complained about exactly) the Exec Director fired her

I know it s going to be hard to know what to say since we don't even know what it was she complained about per se and what actually happened

I am aware that she can be fired for anything in the at- will system including for complaining

however if she goes to file for UI, what would be the company's reason for denying her UI? our company is notorious for denying UI claims and they always fight it

this worker would frequently ask a lot of questions in staff meetings and often seemed over-assertive and her attitude was basically OK tho she seemed to have an "I can't do this" attitude. often our supervisor seemed overwhelmed with her and her ramblings often masked her "I can't" attitude. she might have been late in her documentation but then again everybody is but they don't get fired for it necessarily.

would our company cite as a reason for denial of UI due to speaking out or complaining? that wouldn't hold much weight?

how would they accomplish denying her UI? like i said before they always deny UI

[macroy]

Unless that Exec Director who fired her is a CD poster and decides to spill the beans, everything else is just hearsay/guesses. But you basically mentioned it - at will basically means any reason not related to one of the protected class. I know that's a sore topic for many on here now given the job climate. But the fact that its an option for both sides is often overlooked. We can offer opinions about how idiotic at will is from an employee stand point because we can be fired at any time - but I'd also think it would suck equally if I couldn't just up and resign if I was fed up. Which at will allows me to do.

Based on the one description you mentioned about the attitude of the fired employee.... perhaps it was just the last straw for someone that complains all the time...?

[rlrl]

thanks for the post. nah the ED isn't gonna waste his time on CD

and you are probably right it was probably the last straw

which brings me to the original question--still, how do they justify it? if the company claims she complained too much, is that really misconduct and grounds to deny UI?

[veuvegirl]

I wouldn't even try to speculate. You never know what truly goes on.

[kodaka]

They could say any number of things--that she was disagreeable, that she treated coworkers disrespectfully, too chatty, late in turning in her work, or any number of things, just based on what you have told us. There are probably dozens of reasons that you don't know about on top of these.

Just because they have fought UI benefits in the past doesn't mean they will this time, or that they will win.

[statisticsnerd]

Workers have close to zero job security in "at will" employment. Unfortunately in Texas, those are the only types of jobs you can get. Unions have no power at all here.

I've seriously considered moving up to the Northeast and trying my hardest to get into a union job just for peace of mind. It's not that I'm a bad worker, but I'm always paranoid that I will be let go for some stupid reason or that my boss will not like me and let me go because our personalities don't mesh.

[JanND]

Why are you borrowing trouble, speculating on something that may, or may not take place, re: the denying unemployment. You may wind up getting yourself involved because you are being a busy body. If it were me, I'd just do my job, and mind my own p's & q's. Translation; mind my own business, if I were you.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by JanND

Why are you borrowing trouble, speculating on something that may, or may not take place. You may wind up getting yourself involved because you are being a busy body. If it were me, I'd just do my job, and mind my own p's & q's.

^^^^^ This. I could maybe understand the OP's concern if this was a long time coworker of many years who you actually had a friendship with who was suddenly fired out of the blue.

But this is someone who was fired who has worked there less than 6 months, and who seemed to be difficult and had a "can't do" attitude.

It's none of your concern and I would stay out of it, and out of any conversations that discuss it.

[cal-eta]

Originally Posted by JanND

Why are you borrowing trouble, speculating on something that may, or may not take place, re: the denying unemployment. You may wind up getting yourself involved because you are being a busy body. If it were me, I'd just do my job, and mind my own p's & q's. Translation; mind my own business, if I were you.

like I said re: another posting: If anybody asks you anything about it, you DON'T KNOW JACK-SQUAT!!

[rlrl]

i never repeat what i heard and i don't have a reputation on my job for being a busy body at all. that's why i come here anonymously. i can be a busy body here and no one at work will have any idea i even make these inquiries. aren't i entitled to that?

and no i was never friends with this person